Working with my new La Cimbali Max Hybrid - Page 6

[doug_m]

I just received my Cimbali Max in March and have noticed there is some play on the grind adjustment knob before the worm gear is actually moving the burr.
I have submitted a photo showing how much I have to turn the adjustment knob before I feel the worm gear turning the burr.
I have inspected the worm gear assembly and the black nylon gear that is screwed into the burr and I do not see any wear or damage etc.
Would this play in the worm gear affect the ability of the grinder to maintain a grind setting?
I was wondering if any Max owners have noticed this?

Thanks
Doug

[Marshall]

I just received my Cimbali Max in March and have noticed there is some play on the grind adjustment knob before the worm gear is actually moving the burr.

How's the coffee?

[ira]

How's the coffee?

Is that the only answer worth giving to a "this seems broken, is yours the same question"?

The coffee could be astonishing but maybe the grinder really is wrong and he'd like to know while it's still under warranty.

I don't understand why so many people seem to have so little concern for the question, why is it this way or I got this, is this how it's supposed to be.

I bought new Mazzer burrs for a Robur and I thought they looked bad so I took pictures and asked lots of people with no one knowing the answer. I sent the pictures to Mazzer in Italy and they said, "we're so sorry, we'll send you 2 new sets and by the way, what's your S/N". When told I just bought the burrs they said, oh, you're not important, that's the way they are. Same with Chris who everyone raves about, Bought something on his recommendation and when I said it has this problem, he said, we know so we're not going to carry it any more, but you waited too long to complain, tough luck.

Personally, I want to know how it works, how it could be made better, why this is better than that, why this tastes different than that.

Sorry for the rant.

Ira

[Marshall]

Is that the only answer worth giving to a "this seems broken, is yours the same question"?

The coffee could be astonishing but maybe the grinder really is wrong and he'd like to know while it's still under warranty.

I don't understand why so many people seem to have so little concern for the question, why is it this way or I got this, is this how it's supposed to be.

This is how it's supposed to be.

Ever since I started reading and posting on alt.coffee six or seven years ago (and I'm sure long before that), there has been an epicure vs. engineer gap. Sometimes the engineers make valuable advances that help all of us. But, DougM's post was a classic of the engineer's view.

He has just had the good fortune to become the owner of an amazing machine that we know produces astonishingly good and consistent espresso, but has not one word to say about that. It's all about worm gears and taking the machine apart with no observations about how the knob play affects the coffee, if at all.

Sorry, couldn't resist the dig.

[cafeIKE]

This is how it's supposed to be.

Now I'm all upset.
I'm gonna have to go home early and work on a mod to tighten that sucker.

A complete rotation of the burr carrier takes what, ~100 turns?
The burr carrier thread pitch is what, ~1mm?
The play is what, ~1/10 of a turn?
Duin' da 'ritmatik : 1mm/100turns x 1/10 rotation = 1/1000mm or 1µm !!!!
Sheesh!

Please don't tell the missus.
I've just got her convinced her lattes are now much better with Max!

[IMAWriter]

Is that the only answer worth giving to a "this seems broken, is yours the same question"?

The coffee could be astonishing but maybe the grinder really is wrong and he'd like to know while it's still under warranty.

I don't understand why so many people seem to have so little concern for the question, why is it this way or I got this, is this how it's supposed to be.

I bought new Mazzer burrs for a Robur and I thought they looked bad so I took pictures and asked lots of people with no one knowing the answer. I sent the pictures to Mazzer in Italy and they said, "we're so sorry, we'll send you 2 new sets and by the way, what's your S/N". When told I just bought the burrs they said, oh, you're not important, that's the way they are. Same with Chris who everyone raves about, Bought something on his recommendation and when I said it has this problem, he said, we know so we're not going to carry it any more, but you waited too long to complain, tough luck.

Personally, I want to know how it works, how it could be made better, why this is better than that, why this tastes different than that.

Sorry for the rant.

Ira

Ira...You are REALLY in the minority as regards Chris (not to say you didn't have less than positive experience)..for example, my friend Jonathan just sold a 5 month old Silvia. Chris told my friend to inform the purchaser that he (Chris) would transfer the warranty...can't ask for more than that from a company...Sorry your experience was less than you desired.
Back on topic, while I understand "Ike's" questions regarding his grinder, Marshall basically ask a question that needed to be answered..."HOW'S THE COFFEE?"
I don't think there was any hidden agenda there....
Interestingly, Ike took Marshall's response with great good humor. I interpret Marshall's further response as a comment on how frequently the "engineer" in many here (not ME...not qualified...lol) can supersede the pleasure derived from these machines. However, I am interested to find out if Ike's question regarding some apparent "play" in the wheel may be a significant issue...or just a design from the manufacturer. I'm considering this grinder myself.

[cafeIKE]

However, I am interested to find out if doug_m's question regarding some apparent "play" in the wheel may be a significant issue...or just a design from the manufacturer. I'm considering this grinder myself.

You could have any tolerance you want IF you are willing to pay it. Plastic parts are not precision, so a bit of slack keeps the cost in line.

There would be an issue if the adjuster moved, but it remains where set.

Oh, and the coffee ain't bad either.

[BobS]

There is nothing wrong with the grinder. It's not broken, it's designed that way. If you take the
bean hopper off and the upper, stamped metal facade (it just lifts up), you'll see that the
worm arm has a couple of flats on opposite sides that click into a stop.

So the grinder is not stepless, but as Ian pointed out the movement is very small.

If you slowly turn the knob, you'll feel it click into place. If you set it in between clicks,
you'll see it move during grinding until it clicks into place.

None of this affects the final result, from my use of the grinder.

Bob

[zin1953]

There is nothing wrong with the grinder. It's not broken, it's designed that way. If you take the
bean hopper off and the upper, stamped metal facade (it just lifts up), you'll see that the
worm arm has a couple of flats on opposite sides that click into a stop.

So the grinder is not stepless, but as Ian pointed out the movement is very small.

If you slowly turn the knob, you'll feel it click into place. If you set it in between clicks,
you'll see it move during grinding until it clicks into place.

None of this affects the final result, from my use of the grinder.

Bob

Yup, exactly right! Works great for me!

[HB]

I just received my Cimbali Max in March and have noticed there is some play on the grind adjustment knob before the worm gear is actually moving the burr.

However, I am interested to find out if Ike's question regarding some apparent "play" in the wheel may be a significant issue...or just a design from the manufacturer. I'm considering this grinder myself.

Sorry for responding late to this thread. I wondered the same thing the first time I tried out the Junior, i.e., the movement seemed a bit squishy. But given the regularity of the stops, I concluded they were simply soft detents. The burr movement between each detent is very small and I don't consider it a performance or usability issue.

[kahvedelisi]

Sorry for responding late to this thread. I wondered the same thing the first time I tried out the Junior, i.e., the movement seemed a bit squishy. But given the regularity of the stops, I concluded they were simply soft detents. The burr movement between each detent is very small and I don't consider it a performance or usability issue.

Very true. But it has the potential for turning to a usability issue if you're new to it How? Okay, may I suggest to all Cimbali grinder users not to stop turning that wormdrive or not to leave it on the half way or in between without hearing "the click sound". When you're turning it you'll see numbers are also changing, don't be fooled by that, you must hear "click" (you'll also feel it) otherwise you may hear another sound when you start up your machine. It's the "ZONNKKK!!!" sound coming from burrs... Been there, done that, jumped around, called out for mom

PS. Also same thing happens if you turn it several times (4-5) towards finer settings without starting up your machine. Beans stuck between burrs and you hear the zonk! again. Towards coarser this is not an issue.

[HB]

But it has the potential for turning to a usability issue if you're new to it... Been there, done that, jumped around, called out for mom

OK, allow me to clarify: I don't consider it a significant usability issue, especially in light of how well the Cimbali Max Hybrid fulfills its primary function.

[zin1953]

I don't consider it a significant usability issue, especially in light of how well the Cimbali Max Hybrid fulfills its primary function.

Agreed.

A hammer has the potential for "usability issues" if you use it on your own head, rather than on the head of a nail. But I don't consider that a significant usability issue, especially in light of how well the hammer fulfills its primary function!

[IMAWriter]

As I mentioned way earlier in this thread, I too am considering the Cimbali Max Hybrid. I've seen lots of comparisons to Mini Mazzers and lesser grinders, but not to an SJ (which I own.)
I asked this earlier, not answered, but maybe someone can help now.
#1) I understand the Max is louder than a Mini...is it way louder than an SJ? Or just a bit louder. I do like to use my grinder after the kiddoes are in bed.
#2)...and more important. Chris said he really couldn't answer this based upon how I would use the grinder, but will the quality/consistency of the grind be a significant enough improvement to justify selling my SJ and purchasing the Hybrid?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
RJ

[zin1953]

Rob,

I have no direct experience using a Super Jolly. But, might I suggest you read the last two posts [mine, and Ken Fox's reply] in the "Can It Beat the Robur?" thread. Click here.

My take on it was that, while both the SJ and the CMH "scored" 2-0-2 against the Robur, the CMH scored better than the SJ while doing so . . .

Cheers,
Jason

[SteveN]

I have a question for you Max owners.

Mine is coming in today so I will be at home dialing it in tonight. Any input on how much time on a pour one full turn of the adjustment knob makes?

-Steve

[gscace]

I'm interested in knowing how well you like it.

-Greg

[SteveN]

Well I bought after you told me it was a winner. I figured I would cover my needs for many years to come.

Have you used one yet?

-Steve

[cafeIKE]

Any input on how much time on a pour one full turn of the adjustment knob makes?

Sorry, but it sounds to me like you just spent the best part of a kilobuck on a grinder and are now trying to cheap out on the coffee! SHEESH!

1 turn makes a lot to a little difference depending on the coffee, the dose and the brew parameters.

[SteveN]

I guess I should have seen that coming....

I'm just trying to avoid using all my good home roast while trying to dial it in. So anywhere from a lot to a little? I can work with that.